The Four Minute CommTool

As an anger educator and communications psychologist, I can tell you that "road rage" is a slick and tricky mental magic act and a racey misnomer. It's more accurate to call it "human rage," since it's unhealthy anger directed at human beings not roads made of concrete or asphalt. Let's talk about how to control it.

Are you a positive thinker, a positive talker and a positive doer? Does your personal credo make you a living legend, of sorts, because you choose to deploy an optimistic mental attitude and make a constructive impact in life? Or do you prefer to be a "contrarian," a negative talker who is a negative thinker and a negative doer? Learn to use the Ten Tenets of Positive Thinkers and Talkers.

What do the alphabet letters in this talk soup spell out to you: "I'm working on it." "I know I could do better IF ONLY I tried harder." "I should change but I can't seem to find the motivation." "It's truly a huge problem but I don't know what I SHOULD do about it." A "master logician" is someone who says pretty things such as, "I know I've got to do better!" ... but keeps on doing the same old tired things that drive you insane.

Do you sell yourself short with the excuse that you don't want to become "stuck up?" Why do you sell yourself short? It's time to sell yourself on yourself! This exercise is intended especially for all of you sensitive gals and guys who are prone to being a little bit shy about how great thou art! Y'all "sensitive types" gotta get over being so sweet and inward-gazing! And I can help you with my new communication system called TALK TO ME.

On Father's Day, sometimes the best that families can hope for is that everyone will get along just fine for an entire 24-hour period... no harsh words, no bickering, no nitpicking. But what if Dad is the one whose communication skills - or lack thereof - put everyone else on edge? Fathers who recognize their shortcomings as good communicators sometimes just need a little advice and practical tips for honing their skills as sensitive guys who are approachable and able to carry on a meaningful conversation with anyone in the family.

Are you a hard self-talker, as in, "It's depressing to get up in the morning!" You can make happen what you say will be so... by telling yourself IT will BE SO. Ironically, since time is on your side... NOT getting up on time can be a contributing cause of depression. In my opinion, it's not so much about getting up ON TIME. It's about respecting your needs to get up ON YOUR TIME.

Don't play down your communication skills by self-labeling yourself as 'shy!' After all, 'shy' people aren't shy around people they like, trust and know to be honestly emotionally expressive. Take four minutes and learn some effective ways to send the message "Talk to Me... Today!"